A Holiday Tradition Children of all ages have been entertained by visiting Santa on the train since 1970. The annual tradition got its start when Arvid Cook, an engineer working the Kankakee-to-Bloomington local, started dressing up as Saint Nick and handing out candy to area children.

Arvid passed away in 2003, but thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers and support from the railroad, the communities along the line can look forward to visits from the Christmas Special for years to come.

Railroad employees work with community organizations, city councils and other groups from Kankakee to Gibson City to put together the Christmas Special. The train does not leave until all children have a chance to meet Santa, although the train may have to move to clear the tracks to make room for other trains when ordered to do so.

One of the volunteers and a CN employee, Joseph “Tuch” Santucci reminds everyone that although a festive event, the Christmas Special runs on an operating railroad and safety should be the first thing on everyone's mind: “We are operating on a live, working railroad. We ask you to dress appropriately for the weather and the walking conditions. Sandals, open toed shoes and high heeled shoes are not recommended for footwear. In pretty much all of the communities we visit, there are no indoor facilities in which to wait for the train and being that this will be wintertime, it will very likely be cold outside.”

Santucci also asks those coming out to see the train to respect the property and people around the train: “Canadian National and their predecessor Illinois Central have been very accommodating over the past 36 years with regards to the train and those coming out to visit. We ask that you please refrain from any activities that may compromise your safety, that of the crew and its volunteer staff as well as the regular rail operations of the Canadian National Railway.”

To visit or photograph the Christmas Special, the communities of Gibson City, Melvin, Roberts and Thawville are all along Illinois Route 54 and this road parallels the railroad pretty much the entire route. Route 54 can be reached from I-57 at the exit several miles south of Gilman. U.S. Route 45 runs directly through Onarga, Danforth, Ashkum, Clifton, Chebanse and Kankakee so there is easy access to these communities. U.S. 45 parallels the railroad for a good portion of the way providing plenty of photo opportunities. There is also access to Ashkum (Illinois Route 116), Clifton, Chebanse and Kankakee (Court Street, Illinois Route 17) from I-57 as well. Gilman is also accessible from I-57 at the US Route 24 exit. The train parks behind the depot in Gilman just west of downtown on 2nd Street.

For more about the history and operation of the Christmas Special back when it was called the Illinois Central's Santa Train, see the article in the December 2007 issue of Trains Magazine.

This article is based on information provided by
the Kankakee Daily Journal, Trains Magazine and Joseph Santucci.

2009 Schedule

Subject to operating conditions. Train will not depart until all children have seen Santa.